SBCPA Thomas Fire/Debris Flow Resources

The Santa Barbara County Psychological Association (SBCPA) is working closely with various County and other helping and wellness organizations to provide ongoing, organized, and collaborative support for the community (see county resources, on the right). Keep reading below to find out how SBCPA Psychologists are Volunteering to help the community.

The recovery from the Thomas Fire and Floods will be an ongoing process, and it has affected many individuals throughout our community. Our organization plans to offer FREE community healing and recovery groups in the upcoming weeks and months. These groups will teach specific skills for resiliency and recovery -- helping individuals to access their own innate healing strengths and abilities. Sign up to receive email alerts about these healing groups HERE

Looking for specific help or resources, for yourself, for a group, for your workplace or organization that may have been affected by the Thomas Fire and Floods? Contact either of our Disaster Response Team Co-Chairs:

Know what to say “in the moment” to support your kids of all ages. Hear audio clips of other parents’ experiences.

Understand how kids commonly respond during and after disasters.

Use the checklists to prepare your entire family before disasters.

Explain different disasters to your kids using age-appropriate language.

Find tips on caring for yourself as you care for your family.

Connect to activities, children’s books, tip sheets, and more!

Download Help Kids Cope

Help Kids Cope, by UCLA is free from Google Play and iTunes. Works on Android (4.3 and up) and Apple devices (iPod touch, iPhone, iPad). For iPad users: tap on the iPad Only” drop-down menu and select “iPhone Only” from the menu to view and download the app.

Use Help Kids Cope

Help Kids Cope is for parents, but useful for all who live or work with children:

Parents and Caregivers:

Download the app now to be ready when disaster strikes (so you can stock your Emergency Supply Kit or explain to your preschoolers what is happening). Access the app during disaster warnings to plan your next steps (so you can locate the nearest shelter or find fun ways to keep kids entertained and distracted). After events, revisit the app for practical tips to take care of your children and yourself (so you can understand your kids’ reactions, find ways to calm yourself, or access financial assistance). If you recently moved to a disaster-prone area, check the app to learn about possible threats (so you can re-think your Preparedness plans and find Evacuation routes).

Travelers:

Use the app to learn about the disasters common in areas where you’ll be traveling (so you can shop together for Supply Kit items or find just the right words to describe potential danger).

Emergency Preparedness Professionals:

Spread the word about the app. Point out how to access materials within the app (links to preparedness resources, steps to locate emergency shelters, what to know about flood insurance, and more). Direct people to the Preparedness checklists to help them get ready before a disaster!

Teachers and Counselors:

Teachers, consult the app as you review your school’s emergency plan, demonstrate the app to parents at the start of the school year, or point out the app after a disaster to support family healing. Counselors can note the crisis counseling hotline, tips for self-care, and advice for referring a child for more help.